Cable



July 24, 1928. 1,678,292

J. F. HOWE CABLE Filed Jan. 22, 1925 4, Sheets-Sheet 1 r ga :1

Invenfor:

July 24, 1928. 1,678292 J. F. HOWE CABLE Filed Jan. 22, 1925 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Witnesses. as Inventor.-

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- J. F. HOWE CABLE Fi led Jan. 22, 1925 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented July 24, 1928.

UNITED STATES 1,678,292 PATENT OFFICE;

I JAMES FORREST HOWE, OF WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO THE AMERI- CAN STEEL AND WIRE COMPANY OF NEW JERSEY, CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

CABLE.

Application filed January 22, 1925. Serial No. 4,044;

This invention relates to cables and more particularly to ropes and cables primarily designed for use in Supporting suspension bridges and the like, although it may be used wherever such a rope or cable is desirable.

One object of the present invention is'to provide a flat rope composed of numerous small ropes or strands that may be used singly or in multiples to form a bridge or similar suspension.

Another object is to provide a flat rope that is particularly adapted-to the formation of cables of large cross section for large bridge suspensions by layingseveral of such cables, one on top of the other, and securing them together.

A still further object is to provide a rope and cable having the novel features of construction, design, and combination of parts hereinafter described and claimed and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a plan of a section of flat rope constructed in accordance with my invention.

Figure 2 is a side elevation thereof.

Figure 3 is an end elevation thereof.

Figure 4 is a top plan of a round cable constructed in accordance with my invention from a plurality of fiat ropes such as shown in Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a cross section of the cable of Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a cross section of a square cable constructed in accordance with my invention.

Figure 7 is a diagrammatic elevation showing the adaption of'my novel cable to. bridge suspension.

Referring particularly to the drawings,

the letter A designates the flat rope of Fig- 7 ures 1 to 3 as a whole, which is composed of a plurality of small rope strands 2, each of which is composed of a plurality of substrands 3, and each sub-strand is composed of a plurality of single wires 4. \Vhile I have shown each rope strand 2 composed of four sub-strands 3, it will be understood that any number of sub-strands 3 may be used Within practical limits in forming the rope strands 2, and that any number of wires, Within practical limits, may be used in forming the sub-strands.

The rope strands 2' are laid up spirally in the usual manner, and each alternate one of the rope strands composing the rope A has a right hand lay, while the other rope strands of the rope have a left hand lay.

The rope strands 2 are laid in parallel rela- .tion,- one beside the other, to form a rope of the desired width, and the several rope strands are secured together by a sewing strand 6 which is passed from side to side through the several rope strands in a zigzag manner. The spaces between the substrands 3 form convenient openings through which the sewing strand may be and is usually passed.

In making up a heavy bridge cable, as for instance a twelve by twelve inch cable,

any combination of the fiat ropes A may be used. For example, twelve ropes A, each of which is twelve inches by one inch, may be used, or twenty-four ropes, six inches by one inch may be used, two of such ropes being used in each layer; Again twenty-four fiat ropes twelve inches by one-half inch may be used. The combination of rope sizes that may be used to form any given cable cross section is almost unlimited. It will also be noted that by combining different widths and thicknesses of flat ropes A, an almost 7 unlimited variety of cross sectional cable shapes may be devised. V

In Figures 4' and 5 I have shown a round bridge cable B composed of a plurality of flat ropes A constructed in accordance with my invention. The ropes A of the cable B are of gradually increasing thickness and Width toward the center of the cable, so as to form a more perfect circular cross section. The section of cable shown is provided with suitable wire seizing 8 at spaced intervals to bind the several ropes A together. It will be understood that this seizing may be continuous over the whole length of cable, if desired, or may be placed at spaced intervals as shown. If desired, the wire seizing may be dispensed with and suitable clamps sub.- stituted therefor, or the clamps and wire seizing may be used together tobind the cured in placeby nuts 11. These rods '9 sixteen rope strands 2 andfeach rope strand 2 having four sub-strands 3. Theropes A the several each, therefore, have a width equal to the;

height of sixteen ropes A and when so combined form a square 'cable.'- The'cable B.

may be secured together by suitable wire or other seizing, round cable B.

A stringer. clamp 14 is shown 6n the.

cable B provided with an attaching lug 15 adapted to have suitable vertical bridge stringers secured thereto.

" 4 In' Figure 7 "Ihave shown, diagrammatically, Howmy improved cable may be used. In this fi ure, 16 represents a cable constructed 0% several flat ropes, 17 represents the cable supports, and 18 the-bridge girders. The cable 16 may have-one or more of the clamps 14: secured thereto along its length to support stringers 19, which in turn are secured to the bridge girders, 18.

The fiat ropes A, forming the cable 16, are shown separated at each end and separately secured to suitable anchors 20, which 'are -i independently adjustable, as illustrated.

by turn buckles 21. In the illustration of Figure 7 only three ropes A are shown at each end of the cable, but it will be understood that the showing is only illustrative,

and any number of ropes may be used in.

forming the cable, and that a separate anchor vwouldbe provided for each rope, although if found to be desirable or necessary, more than one rope may be secured such as described for'the 'stantially clr cula'r cross section and comby each anchor and thus the A number of anchors reduced.

While I have, illustrated certain embodi- -ments of my invention, I do not wish to .be. limited thereto, since various modifica-- tions will readily suggest themselves to those skilled in the art and may be made without departing from the scope of my invention, as defined in the appended claims.

I claim 1. -A large bridge cable having a subpo sed of a plurality of flat ropes, laid one on top of the other, the center rope of the cable being of arwidth'substantially equal to the diameter of the cable and each of the successive-ropes on either side of the center ropebeing of less width than the preceding rope, and suitable seizing arranged at spaced intervals along said cable for seof said cable, and suitable seizing arranged at spaced intervals along said cable, said bolts and selzing securing said ropes together.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto signed my name.

JAMES FORREST Howe. 

